REGINA -- Through his first three seasons in the Canadian Football League, linebacker A.J. Allen had developed into a pretty decent special teams player for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

After racking up 19 tackles while covering kick and punt returns in 2023, the Burlington, ON native was even more effective last season, leading the entire CFL with 22 special teams tackles while also recording his first interception and touchdown as a linebacker.

Through it all, head coach Corey Mace and his staff could see something a little more there -- something untapped and in reserve, a spark that could turn Allen into something special if things fell his way.

That opportunity came when standout linebacker C.J. Avery suffered an injury in the first game of the 2025 season, with Allen taking over

See Full Page